F1 Academy adds third race to Abu Dhabi schedule

In a very welcome addition to this weekend's schedule, F1 Academy has added a third race to the Abu Dhabi season finale to compensate for the Qatar second race cancellation.

Photo credits: Joe Portlock / Getty Images

F1 Academy confirmed that a third race has been added to the season finale in Abu Dhabi, in response to the cancellation of the second race in Qatar last weekend.

This is a very welcome addition to this weekend's schedule and a commendable effort for the F1 promoters to make up for the drivers' lost track time in Lusail.

The second race of the Qatari round, penultimate race meeting of the season, had been canceled following extensive barrier repairs at the final corner of the circuit, caused by an accident during the preceding Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East support race.

After an initial delay of almost 30 minutes on the grid, the race was ultimately canceled due to the tight schedule of subsequent FIA F2 and Formula 1 sessions.

F1 Academy has now confirmed a revised schedule for the season finale at Yas Marina CIrcuit in Abu Dhabi, which will host the final round of the 2024 season - the second in the series' history: three races will now be run, with free practice and qualifying taking place on Friday and the first two races on Saturday.

Sunday will see the third and final race of the season at 11:15 local time. All races will have a 30 minute +1 lap length and will award regular points.

Instead of keeping the starting grid from Lusail's cancelled event, the sole-30 minute qualifying at Abu Dhabi is therefore set to shape the grids for all three contests of the weekend, with the third-best time of each driver setting the starting grid for Race 3. The two extra points for pole position will be awarded in each of the three races as well.

Round 7 Schedule:

Free Practice: Friday 6th December / 09:30 local time (GMT+4)

Qualifying: Friday 6th December / 18:35 local time

Race 1: Saturday 7th December / 12:15 local time

Race 2: Saturday 7th December / 20:15 local time

Race 3: Sunday 8th December / 11:15 local time